Sunday, October 04, 2009

Baby talk


A trip to Borders yesterday for presents for a new baby, a new big brother and a birthday boy. And as I was there I thought I'd better get this lovely book ready for our Baby too. This Baby will have more books before birth than some children have in a lifetime.

When I worked in the bookshop a mother and child sometimes called in after school. The mother would occasionally buy herself a book but if her son ever said he wanted one she would say, 'Not today. Let's go to the newsagent and I'll buy you some sweets instead.' I never saw her buy him a book.

Then today was the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) nearly new sale. It started at 10.30 but people were queuing from hours earlier, and it was immense! A large school hall entirely filled with children's and baby clothes, equipment and toys. They have them twice yearly but I'd never been before and it was rather overpowering. The first thing I saw as I went in were a selection of Moses baskets - so I bought one.

It wasn't until I'd paid and was leaving that I thought, 'I don't really need a Moses basket ...' It was just one of those 'Quick, buy it before someone else does' moments. And it was a bargain.

I wasn't able to get any of the things Daughter had asked me to look out for but I did get these dwtty little slippers for just 50p! And they even rattle!





11 comments:

nick said...

I can't believe mothers still prevent their children having books. What are they thinking of? How do they expect their offspring to learn to read and write? Baffling.

CherryPie said...

Lucky to have so many books :-)

Anonymous said...

we can spend a silly amount of time (and money) in waterstones :0)

Leslie: said...

I remember expecting MY first grandchild and I was just as (or more) excited a my daughter. I loved going and looking at all the new things that had been invented since she was born and oohed and aahed over the toys and clothes! Have fun - that's what being a grandmother is all about - spoiling the little one! :D

Katney said...

Every baby must have books. My grandkids know what they will get for Christmas from Grandma. I love Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury. You have good taste on that one. Oh how I miss first grade. Oh how I miss my library. Ah, well, I can't bring the world of books to every kid at school any more, but I do have a whole slew of grandchildren who will be literate.

Lia said...

Goodness, I wouldn't have known what to do with mine at times when they were small if it wasn't for books and all the adventures the pages behold.

Swallows and Amazons,
Where the wild things are
Thomas the tank engine
The family from one end street
Tom sayer
The hobbit
Roald Dahl books
and so many many more

It's crazy not to buy and read books with children.
Still at lest this won't happen to your little one. Baby will have a well stocked library before birth at the rate you are collecting them,how wonderful.
Much love
Lia
xx

nick said...

Oh and when you're buying books, don't forget Morris's Disappearing Bag by Rosemary Wells.

Furtheron said...

love the boots... all seems a long way off now mine are both teenagers

Anna said...

Ach, you lack focus!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Unbelieveable, that they are stopped from buying books. I am with you on this one...!!

I have a box, which is now overflowing, at my house, for the grandchildren. Lots of different ages, for 6 years and down. Also I have "read to them" books and books they can read them selves. I go to Borders or Waterstones, depends who has the special offers.

Liz Hinds said...

It's appalling, nick.

Oh yes, cherrypie.

But in a good cause, hippy mama!

They have invented so many more things since my day, leslie, you're right.

Yes, I'm the book-buying 'auntie' too, katney.

We loved Roald Dahl books, lia.

We read other Morris books but not that, I don't think, nick.

I'm sure your children would still love Tigger slippers, furtheron. Especially if they rattled!

Oh I do, anna!

I will have one of those too, anne. The bedtime story especially was always a special time.